Local actor stars in indie horror-comedy

A Wilkes-Barre native who made his name as a character actor stars in an upcoming comedy-horror film that pokes fun at the "business" of ghost hunting.

James Karen, who appeared in movies like "The China Syndrome," "Wall Street" and "Poltergeist," joins paranormal investigators in the indie film, "America's Most Haunted." The film is a project of Fulview Productions, based in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"America's Most Haunted" follows a set of reality television ghost hunters who stage paranormal interactions to boost their ratings. However, a routine investigation turns frighteningly real when the team comes across an actual spirit. Karen plays a man named Ralph George - but he's not going to spoil the rest of the film.

"It's a very funny picture," Karen said. "I like the script. Very funny, but I'm not going to give anything away."

Born Jacob Karnofsky, the actor got his start performing at the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, and continues to appear in movies and on television to this day. He met the filmmakers of his latest project a few years ago during a visit to Grand Rapids, Mich. He was familiar with the area as he had made a movie there, while his wife, actor and artist Alba Francesca, produced and directed another. He got a call that "America's Most Haunted" would be shooting this year, and was all for joining the production.

"The kids were terrific. They wanted a professional actor ... they asked me if I'd come in and do it as a favor, and I loved it," he said.

Chris Randall and Keith Golinski of Fulview Productions hope to generate interest in "America's Most Haunted" on the film festival circuit. Randall, who co-wrote and directed the film, said they recently finished the final cut to the movie and planned to take it to the American Film Market in Santa Monica, Calif., the first week of November. From there, they hope to hold a world premiere at a festival and garner a wider release through a distribution company.

"It was inspired by the movies I loved as a kid. Movies like 'Ghostbusters,' 'Gremlins,' 'Back to the Future' and, of course, 'Poltergeist' featuring Mr. Karen in a pivotal role," Randall said. "We always pitched it as funnier than 'Poltergeist' and scarier than 'Ghostbusters.' I think we hit that mark."

At a recent test screening, the filmmakers received positive feedback from the audience, Randall said.

"People were laughing, then jumping, then screaming, then laughing again ... Most people said it was overall, just a fun movie, and they enjoyed being scared by it."

For more on "America's Most Haunted," visit www.facebook.com/amhmovie or amhmovie.com/HOME.html. Watch the trailer at vimeo.com/46638456.

This is the story of the popular ghost hunting show "America's Most Haunted." They're not here to just communicate or take some pictures. They're here to kick unwanted ghosts out. Their methods may be questionable, and their "proof" may not hold up to careful scrutiny, but people seem to like it and they keep getting paid by their sponsors. However, on this particular episode, the AMH crew has come across something they've never dealt with before... a place that may actually be haunted. Even though this could be more than they can handle, rest assured that Leon Falco, the shows fearless host, has a plan.

Source: Fulvew Productions

Actor James Karen's carved a career out of playing "That Guy" characters - as in, "Hey! It's that guy from (that other movie/television show!)" Not sure where you've seen him before? Here's some of his most prominent, big budget movies roles:

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): Martin Frohm

Mulholland Dr. (2001): Wally Brown

Nixon (1995): Bill Rogers

Wall Street (1987): Lynch

The Return of the Living Dead (1985): Frank

Poltergeist (1982): Mr. Teague

The Jazz Singer (1980): Barney Callahan

The China Syndrome (1979): Mac Churchill

All the President's Men (1976) Hugh Sloan's Lawyer

Karen's also appeared on the small screen in the following shows: All My Children, American Dad!, As the World Turns, Coach, Beverly Hills, 90210, Cold Case, Dallas, Designing Women, Dynasty, Eight is Enough, Hawaii Five-O, Matlock, The Practice, Seinfeld, Starsky and Hutch, and The Waltons.

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